What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder leading to increased blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia), either due to inadequate insulin production by the pancreas or ineffective insulin action or both.
Type 1 Diabetes
– It is a condition in which the pancreas is not able to produce any insulin. It is usually seen in young children and adolescents. People who have type 1 diabetes need insulin to survive. About 8-10% of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes
– It is a condition in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin does not work properly due to insulin resistance (ineffective insulin). About 85 – 90% of all people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. This was usually seen in those over the age of 40 and overweight people earlier. However, type 2 diabetes in now commonly seen in younger age groups and thin people as well.
Gestational Diabetes
It is a temporary condition leading to abnormal glucose level due to stress of pregnancy. The diabetes goes away after pregnancy. It affects approximately two to four per cent of all pregnancies and increases the risk of developing diabetes for both mother and child in the future.
